It is true that more and more schools are beginning to recognize the negative connotations that zoo visits have for both animals and children. They understand that when we see an animal in a zoo, we see an animal isolated from its family, removed from its natural environment, and confined in an artificial setting. It is also common to observe their anxiety about being confined, their stereotypical behaviors, and, above all, their sadness.
However, activities involving the use of birds of prey still maintain that image of "sighting" animals in the wild, whose beauty we perceive and who demonstrate the learning and training they are capable of. These events are referred to as exhibitions and demonstrations.
What's the difference between displaying an animal in a zoo and temporarily letting a bird out of its cage? Aren't birds of prey treated like museum pieces?
At Aula Animal we believe that the educational task should be geared towards promoting the observation of animals, learning to recognize their qualities, their interests and their behavior always in their natural and free environment.
Por ello, desde Animal Class os animamos a darle un giro a este tipo de actividades y a renunciar a este tipo de visitas planteando alternativas constructivas desde el respeto a los animales y, en definitiva, que supongan también un verdadero enriquecimiento para los alumnos en el ámbito de las ciencias naturales.
Here are several news stories that exemplify the denunciation of the animal abuse suffered by these birds.
Position statement of Ecologists in Action Aragon.
Photo: Stone Monastery